Italy (Northern Exposure) - Day 4

Day 4 seems to be the most exciting day of all.

We wake up because Adriana, our hostess, comes in to try to tell something - I gather that she is going out somewhere and will be back to fetch us to the Mass at the Piazza later in the morning.

Since Mass isn't due to start till 11, we figure we can sleep in a little bit later...

I figure we may have some more guests in the house this weekend, since the previous night, I spotted a caravan in the backyard.

This is to be attested later, but first, after breakfast, we realise that we are the only ones left in the house!

Well, almost - we soon find Renato going about doing his stuff. Weird that we hardly see him around even though his bedroom is just opposite us, a few feet from where we sleep.

A relief that he speaks some English; at least there are few instances which both parties have to resort to reaching out for the dictionary.

He offers to drive us to Piazza, and before we set off, another surprise welcomes us - his fiancee is going along with us as well. She seems to have come here to look for Renato, parking her red little car outside the residence before jumping onboard Renato's BMW hatchback.

Unlike his parents, Renato prefers to turn on the air-conditioning while driving, and full-blast at that. We reach the Piazza in no time and abit too early, so our host suggests a drink at the cafe. Gleefully I glup down my foamy caffè latte, while Ben savours his cappuccino.

We left after our drink to look for fellow bandmates. Not long after, the Mass starts. It feels awkwardly strange to be in the thick of things of something that hardly means anything to me. Probably the only connection with the ceremony is when the music fills the air. The kids infront are busy following the actions towards the end, which makes it a cute sight on a Sunday morning and lessens the solemn mood that presents itself earlier.



After the Mass, there was some sort of ceremony/performance outside the Piazza by one of the visiting bands; my guess is that its some sort of tribute to the those who have had fallen in the past wars or other significant historical events.

Lunch back at our residence is at its most elaborate yet. This time, it's Yang's and Xian's turn to bear witness to us as part of hosting party to other visiting guests.



The family friends are around at the right time, for we are also celebrating the other son's (Renato's brother - I can't remember his name now, and that's because he's hardly around at home... abit sad cos he's quite a looker...) birthday. Besides the usual vino rosso, our hosts bring out vino bianco as well, and no time is spent watching as we savour the feast laid out before us. We even try our hands (and tastebuds!) on hare's meat - well, not all of us anyway - and conclude that it tastes similar to chicken. I tell myself: hare is strictly reserved for Italy.

Meanwhile, a tiny visitor slept through most of the proceedings in oblivion.



After lunch, we take the chance to check out the caravan. It costs what a mid-range Continental car will have cost back here locally, which further highlights the insanity of automobile prices back home - hosts shake their head in shock and disbelief at just how dear our Toyotas and Hyundais cost us. We are equally amazed at how a caravan can be a comfortable mobile home for a family of seven.

After lunch we have to prepare for the afternoon opening parade.







A lot of waiting, but we finally get going. Marching on the streets, and as we approach the square, these guys with extension (wireless?) mikes come towards some of us and place their stuff above the selected few - me is amongst the (un)fortunate ones (hope the mike didn't pick up any 'loose' stuff).



The young Columbian band sashays their way into the square in style. The Lithuanian band impresses with their big sound despite their strength being half of ours.



After the parade, dinner is back with the hosts. They try to play their recording of the parade from the camcorder, but they aren't quite successful. In the end, we arrive late for the pre-concert briefing lol.



Concert turns out to be pretty overwhelming. No real need for elaboration, but the level of appreciation from the crowd warms my heart at least, if not, the majority of the band.

A huge burden is lifted off everyone then, and the next best enjoyable time of the trip begins henceforth.........

Lights..........

Out.

~Ugly~